Charges are pending against a suspect who fired shots at Houston police officers and was then shot by officers at 7800 Tidwell Road about 8:40 a.m. today (Feb. 27).
The male suspect, believed to be in his 30s, was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. He is facing charges of two counts of aggravated assault against a public servant and one count of aggravated robbery. The suspect’s identity is not known at this time.
The three HPD officers who discharged their weapons are P. Foster of the Tactical Operations Division, and D. Jenkins and C. Welch of the Northeast Patrol Division. Officer Foster was sworn in as an officer in April 2008, Officer Welch in May 2017 and Officer Jenkins in May 2019.
HPD Special Investigations Unit Sergeant J. Hekimian and Detectives N. Arellano, V. Nguyen and C. Walker reported:
The suspect stole a man’s vehicle at gunpoint in the southwest area of Houston and fled the area. Officers from the Northeast Patrol Station and K-9 Units received information from a dispatcher about the robbery and vehicle. A K-9 unit officer (Foster) spotted the stolen vehicle and attempted to stop the vehicle with his lights and sirens. The suspect ignored the officer and a pursuit ensued. Other officers from Northeast Patrol assisted in the pursuit. The officers followed the suspect to the 7800 block of Tidwell Road where the suspect got out of the stolen vehicle and fled on foot. During the foot pursuit, the suspect discharged his weapon towards the officers (and K-9 Nate). At that time, the three officers returned fire and struck the suspect. Paramedics transported the suspect to the hospital.
One officer sustained a minor injury. The two other officers and K-9 Nate were not injured.
As is customary in officer-involved shootings in the city limits resulting in injury, the incident is being investigated by the HPD Special Investigations Unit, Internal Affairs Division and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
JFC 2-27-22
Inc #026241122